Dragon boat letters

News

Posted 2 months ago

City's kindness to paddlers made weekend unforgettable

On behalf of Knot A Breast, I would like to thank the city of Peterborough for their gracious behaviour and kindness that they showed all of the teams this past weekend.

It is amazing to see all the support that you, as a city, give to your local breast cancer team and then to 73 teams from around the world.

The townspeople cheering us all on was thrilling, lining all the streets. The extra touch of providing limo rides for people who could not walk the parade route was thoughtful.

We could not stop thanking the people for their generosity throughout the weekend.

The number of volunteers was overwhelming as well.

And huge kudos to the overall running of the event. Well organized! We would especially like to thank Survivors Abreast for taking on this momentous task . . . now we all have to try to live up to the standard that they have set.

And once again, even after the races were over, there where the townsfolk, lined up on the streets again, clapping for us.

Thank you is a very simple thing to say, but from Knot A Breast, it is a heart-warming thank you for this memorable weekend which we will never forget.

Paddles Up! KATHY LEVY Knot A Breast

Hamilton

Warmth of welcome too good to believe

Peterborough is an amazing city! Our team has just returned home to the Sunshine Coast of B.C. after an incredible experience at the International Dragon Boat Festival. Everyone we met in Peterborough, from the hotel staff to the taxi drivers to the incredible volunteers at the Little Lake race site went out of their way to be friendly, welcoming and helpful.

Without exception, every paddler we spoke to, from every team, felt exactly the same way. We just couldn't believe what a warm welcome we received. You should be proud of your lovely city.

We'd like to thank everyone involved with the regatta -the organizers for a perfectly planned event, the many, many volunteers who were always present, always helpful, and always cheerful.

RON KYDD Team race manager

Sunshine Dragons Abreast

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

HST and alcohol prices induce headache

Re "HST opinions in Ontario mixed" (June 11) -

Here's another twist to the new unharmonic tax that may be of interest to drinkers.

At the present time, alcohol products sold in bars, restaurants, hotels etc. are taxed by the province at 10%, not at the general rate of 8%. Therefore, 15% is added to the price of the drink, be it beer, wine or spirits: 5% GST plus 10% PST. But the new HST is one rate, 13%.

Accordingly, we should see a reduction in our bar bills of 2%, n'cest-pas? After all, the tax reduction will be passed on to consumers. I know because the government told me so!

Furthermore, unbeknownst to many purchasers, beer, wine and liquor sold at LCBO's and The Beer Store include an Ontario tax of 12% imbedded in the price. That is augmented by the GST to arrive at the 17% we all pay to the federal and Ontario governments on such purchases. That now will be reduced to 13%, because that is the new universal rate chosen by Dalton McGuinty. The Ontario government is on record stating that businesses will pass on tax savings to consumers. If the government doesn't set the example of passing on these savings to consumers how can private businesses be expected to do so? These tax reductions must occur or the government will lose even more credibility.

One more thing: The LCBO has informed us that they are in the act of increasing their prices to compensate for something. I'm serious. I forget what that was because my head can only tolerate so much government propaganda before it gets sore.

CARL HARVEY

Whitaker St.

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